Red Tractor will align with VMD on zinc oxide position
4th Feb 2022 / By Alistair Driver
Red Tractor has confirmed that it will align with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's (VMD) position on zinc oxide.
The VMD issued a statement in January confirming that QP-released zinc oxide products that are in the supply chain on June 26, when the market authorisations for zinc oxide products are withdrawn, will be available to pig producers until the end of their shelf life, that is up to two years.
The Red Tractor Pigs Board discussed its position earlier this week and agreed that Red Tractor will align with the VMD’s position, so zinc oxide products can be used on assured farms until the product’s end of shelf life where it’s been QP-released before June 26, 2022.
A Red Tractor spokesperson said: "We won’t be introducing an earlier ban through our standards. This is in recognition of the negative impact of removal of medicinal zinc oxide from weaner diets in terms of piglet health and welfare and increased use of antibiotics."